Volleyball is primarily a game of teamwork, and passing the ball to players is the key to a successful game. Learning to pass must be a team's first priority, and it is a skill that should be developed during each and every practice. Several types of passes are essential to every game of volleyball.

The Bump

This pass is the sport's most basic. It is the most used pass in volleyball, and should be a focus during all practices. The bump position begins with the arms in a diamond shape extended in front of the body. The player joins his thumbs together with his hands in the shape of a ball. Instead of interlocking the fingers, the player leaves the thumbs parallel, while the fingers of one hand cover those of the other. The knees should remain bent, and the feet should be in a comfortable but wide stance. Once the ball comes toward the player, he should center the body behind the ball and keep the arms locked in position. To direct the pass, the player should face the target with his hips. The ball should hit the flat part of the inner forearm and be propelled with a pushing motion stemming from the forearms.

The Volley

This pass is used when passing to teammates. When in volley position, the player stands with hands above the forehead, keeping the shoulders a ball's width apart. The player is positioned directly under the ball and points her body in the direction of the desired pass. Using only the fingertips, the player directs the ball to her teammate. This pass slows the ball down, giving players better control for passing, bumping and spiking.

The Set

Similar to the volley, the set is used to set up a spike over the net. When setting, the player transfers his weight to the back leg when the ball comes toward him. When contact is made, the back foot comes forward, which helps the ball push upward. Instead of using the fingertips to pass the ball to a teammate, the setter pushes the ball high in the air to position it for a spike.

The Secret to Good Volleyball Passing

The key to successful volleyball passes is control. The player is charged with controlling the force and direction of the ball. To build this essential skill, players can practice bumping and setting the ball to themselves. The goal of this drill is to keep the ball under control and in the air for as long as possible. To further develop control skills, a player can first bump, then set and finally bounce the ball off his forehead to repeat the cycle. The drill also can be practiced using just one hand.